Marketing

Ray Barone, the title character on the CBS hit comedy Everybody Loves Raymond, now in its sixth year, is not really the bookish type. But in the episode airing October 14, Raymond and his long-suffering wife, Debra, attempt to raise his cultural IQ by attending a lecture by the fictive author of Hidden Treasures of the Amazon at Sidewalk Books, an invented Book Sense bookstore on Long Island, New York.

Nationally, booksellers are continuing to promote the special Book Sense/History Channel fundraiser -- "The Fire on the Mountain, Campaign for Communities: Firefighter Fundraiser" promotion, which began on September 9.

A Treasure Trove of Knowledge and Publicity By Carl Lennertz We are archiving the rich data coming from 350 stores each week, so we can go back at any time and run reports by BISAC code covering one, two, four, or more weeks. The hope here is you might discover a book or two selling around the country that your POS system may have let slip out, or maybe it's a book you never tried. If you end up selling five to10 copies, all the better for you, the author, and the publisher.

By Carl Lennertz and Mark Nichols In addition to our ongoing and successful advertising in The New Yorker and Atlantic Monthly, spearheaded by ABA Marketing Officer Michael Hoynes, we are expanding the Book Sense presence in some notable book-only magazines and reviews.

The Book Sense/History Channel fundraiser -- "The Fire on the Mountain, Campaign for Communities: Firefighter Fundraiser" promotion -- officially kicked off on September 9. Nationally, hundreds of booksellers have set up special displays using materials that tie in with the October 28 History Channel documentary based on Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire by John N. Maclean (Washington Square Press).

Bookmark contests create big community involvement, if The Village Book Store in Littleton, New Hampshire, and Village Books in Bellingham, Washington, are representative of other stores between the coasts. Nationally, many independents currently are gearing up for their annual bookmark contests to coincide with National Children's Book Week in November when winners are announced.

ABA has announced that the successful Prescription for Reading program will be expanding to include a number of other organizations providing services for children. These include daycare centers, preschools, nursery schools, independent pharmacies, local Y's, day camps, senior citizen centers, or any organization that serves parents or grandparents of young children.

Following the participation of Firehouse.com, the leading fire and emergency services Internet portal, there is growing consumer awareness and interest in the Book Sense and History Channel "The Fire on the Mountain, Campaign for Communities: Firefighter Fundraiser" promotion.

The Book Sense Bestseller lists are currently carried in over 60 local and national newspapers and magazines, and each month the number continues to grow. In addition to publishing the national list, national media, industry publications, and local newspapers are carrying Book Sense regional bestseller lists and specialty bestseller lists.

By Carl Lennertz Tip of the Week: Like the Car Guys and their Puzzler, Tip Guy is still on hiatus. Full blurbs are up for the two latest 76s at http://www.bookweb.org/read/1474